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List Price: $16.95 | | Publisher: Scholastic
Salesrank: 839845
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| Our Price: $29.98 |
| Used Price: $0.01 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
Will Smith lends the lyrics of his hit single to a remarkable new picture book. Gorgeous pencil and oil illustrations by Kadir Nelson follow a father and son relationship through three stages of life: from newborn, to young child, to young man. Will Smith¹s song is a call to all fathers to teach their children the values of dignity, integrity, and honor. But above all, it is a song of love.
Description of Just the Two of Us:
"Just the two of us, we can make it if we try.... Just the two of us, you and I."
If you were a radio-owner on planet Earth circa 1998, you might have a hard time not bobbing your head--and, yes, maybe even rapping--along with this book from Will "Big Willie Style" Smith and illustrator Kadir Nelson.
That's because the words for Just the Two of Us are lifted from the lyrics to Smith's smash-hit single of the same name, a remake of the Bill Withers classic. True to the song, this radiantly drawn picture book follows a father as he watches his son grow into a man. Tender imagery (especially for hip-hop) details the dad's early, unfamiliar struggles with everything from child car seats to CD-ROMs, his aspirations ("Sometimes I wonder what you're gonna be, a general, a doctor, maybe an MC"), his worries ("Ooh there ain't no pain like from the opposite sex"), and his attempts to impart wisdom ("Always tell the truth, say your prayers, hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears").
Nelson, whose work has appeared in everything from Sports Illustrated to The New Yorker, seems an ideal foil for Smith's colloquial stylings, contributing rich, vibrantly colored spreads that evocatively capture the subject matter without being overly sentimental. A must for fans of Will Smith, especially "all the fathers out there holdin' it down" (to whom Smith gives "special props"). (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes
Just the Two of Us Reviews:
Just the Two of Us 
2009-06-15 - I enjoyed reading this book to my students. It is now one of their favorites.
A father's love for his son
2009-04-29 - Just the Two of Us
The expressive artwork in this book accompanies a text from the lyrics of this award-winning song by Will Smith. This is a story about a father's love for his son, and all of the ups and downs both in their relationship and in life. This book is especially appropriate for divorced or separated fathers, and Will Smith has stated that the song is in part a tribute to the good parenting relationship he has with his ex-wife. Note that the text has multiple references to God as well as a reference to spanking, so it may not be appropriate for every family.
An excellent collaboration!
2008-09-27 - "Just the two of us,
Building castles in the sky.
Just the two of us,
You and I."
Every time I came to this refrain in the book, I sang it to the Bill Withers's song of the same title. Sure enough--right on the copyright page is accredited the 1980 song used in this book, "Just the two of us." That is when I discovered also that this was a hit rap song by Will Smith. I knew he was a rapper, but never listened, so I was not familiar with the song.
"Just the Two of Us" was adapted by Smith in this celebration of fatherhood and responsibility. It is also Smith's song about his deep and abiding love for his son. According to the lyrics, Smith fell in love at seventeen. When his girlfriend became pregnant, they did the responsible thing and were married. It ended at some point with Smith obtaining custody.
Just as his parents before him, Smith works to teach his son how to be a man: "Dignity, integrity, honor..." and "Always tell the truth, say your prayers, hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears..."
The closing words: "Daddy loves you! Daddy loves you! for the rest of your life." These are words that spring tears because of the power of their declaration. You know Will Smith means what he says.
The third part of the collaboration is the artwork of Kadir Nelson: beautiful, intense, and vivid, rendered in pencil and oil paint. I'm not sure why he adds the little exaggerations like that awful sway in Smith's back and the large skulls of both Smith and his son. Those are not very attractive, but not enough to take away from the gorgeous sunset picture of Smith and his son--orange sky, seagulls sweeping low, making a catch
At any rate the original Withers song as the creative source, plus the top-selling rap version, placed into a combination book of bright, happy yet realistic illustrations. This is a book that stays checked out in my school library.
Good job, Will Smith, on all fronts!
Awesome story
2008-01-12 - I highly recommend this book to any dad, but especially to the divorced dads out there. This is a sweet story about a little boy and his dad and how they love and care for each other - reference is made to mom in a positive yet honest way - nice.
Good book for little Boys and Daddys 
2007-12-04 - My husband reads this book to my son every year for his birthday; he's now 6. When he reads it tears come to my eyes because of the sensitivity of the verses.
This is Will Smith's song "Just the Two of Us" set to pictures in a story format. You never realize how powerful some rap/R&B music is until you read it. This proves that.
